Method of and apparatus for shaping metal delivered in a molten condition



1934 6 `Sheecs--Sheet l Feb. 15, 1938. M. Low

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS F'ORv SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTENCONDITION Original Filed July 9,

w L mi AN x mmf n m n i A m. MM. Q QM. Q uw G mm m mvv v I mmv n m-PFeb. 15, 1938. M. L ow METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METALDELIVERED IN A MOLTEN CONDITION originalkFiled July 9,

1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 un llll III!!! Feb. 15, 193s. M. LOW l 2,108,753

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTENCONDITION Original Filed July 9, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet C lWWWWWWWMWWWMWWWWWWWWWWWW @mwwxwexx mia M. LOW

Feb. 15, '1938.

METHOD OF' AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTENCONDITION Original Filed July 9, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. l5, 1938. MQw 2,108,753

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS EOE sEAPING MEI'AIJ DELIVERED IN A MOETENCONDITION Original Filed July 9, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 m nv i Mg!!! 73@f/f@ in. f Z 2 Feb. 15, 193s. M, Low 2,108,753

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SHAPING METAL DELIVERED IN A MOLTENCONDITION Original Filed July 9, 1934 @Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Feb. 15,1938 vPA'IENT OFFICE METHOD F AND APPARATUSFOR SHAP- ING METAL DELIVEREDCONDITION.

1N A MOLTEN Marshall LOW, Washington, D. C.

Application July 9, 1934, Serial No. 734,350 I Renewed January. 17, 193825 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to a method of and apparatus for shapingplastic material and it has particular relation to a' method of andapparatus for continuously solidifying and shaping ma- 5 terial which isfluid when subjected to heat, such as is disclosed in applicantscopending continuing application, Serial No. 636,080, led October 3,1932, of which this application is a continuation in part.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method ofand apparatus for continuously rolling sheets, bars and the likefrommetal having a relatively high melting point such as iron and steelanddelivered in a molten condil5 tion. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of and apparatusfor rendering the metal relatively plastic prior to its contact withvthe sheet forming rolls by controllably reducing the temperature of themetal at intervals and according to aV temperature gradient determinedby the temperature and characteristics of the metal. Y

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of andapparatus for automatically controlling the rate of .ow of the metal tothe shapingrolls in accordance with the temperature oi the metal.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusof the character de' scribed in which the molten metal is renderedplastic and supplied to the shaping rolls in an inert or relativelynon-oxidizing atmosphere. 4 A still further object of the invention isto provide an apparatus oi' the character described in which the metalmay be rolled to the desired form at a plurality oi points or locationsalong its path of travel through-the apparatus thus insuring that therolling operation occurs when the metal reaches the proper degree ofplasticity.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide anapparatusof the character described which is notonly capable of producing aplurality of sheets or bars simultaneously but which may be employed toproduce but a single sheet if so desired.

A'stili further object oi' the invention is to provide an apparatus o!the character described which may quickly and easily be adjusted tofabricate sheets or bars of different thickness and in which the coolingand shaping rolls may be separated to discharge the metal therefrom andto provide access thereto when the operation of the apparatus kisdiscontinued.

With such objects in view, as well as other advantages which may beincident to the use of the improvements. the invention consists of theparts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed withthe understanding that the several necessary elements constituting thesame 5 may be varied in proportions and arrangement without departingfrom the nature and scope of the invention as dened in the appendedclaims.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shownin the accompanying l0 drawings, means for carrying the invention intopractical eect, without limiting the improvements in their usefulapplication to the particular constructions and arrangements which, forthe purpose of explanation, have been made the l5 subject ofillustration.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a'plan view of an apparatus constructed in accordance withthe present invention,

Figure 2 is a sideelevational view of the struc- 2o ture illustrated inFig. l,

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3LofFig. 1,

Figure l is a. front elevational view of the 25 structure shown' in Fig.1,

Figure 51s a vertical transverse sectional view taken online 5?-5 ofFig. 1, and illustrating the movable end members and operating meanstherefor, 30

Figure 6'is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6 ofFig. 1, and illustrating the metal being passed through the severalconditioning chambers and being ilnally rolled into sheet form, 4 35Figure '7 is a vertical transverse sectional v iew taken on line 1-1 ofFig. 1 and illustrating the mechanism for rotating the upper rolls intheir various positions of adjustment,

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view 40 K of anotherembodiment of the invention for rolling plastic materials and metalshaving a relatively low melting point.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but with the rolls separated todischarge material from the 45 chamber deiined thereby, and

.Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view ofthe thermo-responsive means forautomaticallyvaryingthe speed of rotation of the rolls in accordancewith the temperature of the metaL Referring to the drawings, anapparatus embodying the present invention is shown' as comprising a baseI, preferably of cast construction, suitably anchored upon a. concretefoundation 2, and having a pair of parallel frame 55 members 3 securedthereto along its edges, at what may be termed the front and rear of theapparatus, by bolts 4 passing through flanges 5 formed on the loweredges of the frame members. 'I'he frame members 3 may be suitably tiedtogether adjacent to their upper edges to provide a rigid structure andsupport a. plurality of pairs of upper and lower cooling and shapingrolls 6 and l respectively arranged in side-byside contiguous relationand together dening a centrally disposed receiving" chamber 8 and aseries of conditioning chambers 9 communicating therewith and with oneanother throughA spaces or sheet .forming passes Ill between the rolls 6and 1 of each pair of rolls (Fig. 6).

The upper rolls 6 at the center of the apparatus are of slightly lessdiameter than the rolls located outwardly therefrom so as to define arestricted opening or throat II through which molten metal or othermaterial is adapted to be introduced downwardly into the receivingchamber 8, from a feeding device I2, such as a forehearth or ladlelocated above the rolls. This feeding device may constitute a part ofthe apparatus and is formed with arcuate lower surfaces I3 conformingwith the radius of curvature of the central rolls 6. When the feedingdevice I2 occupies its operative position the'faces I3 are disposed inintimate contact with the centrai rolls 6, thus vpreventing air from theouter atmosphere from entering the several conditioning chambers 9through the throat II and receiving chamber 8.

The upper rolls 6 comprise tubular shafts I4 the ends of which arejournaled in bushings I5 carried by slide bearings I6 which are mountedfor vertical adjustment in ways I1 formed in the frame members 3. Thebushings I5 may be of the eccentric type so as to enable the rolls 1 tobe accurately adjusted relative to one another and to provide for anyreduction in the diameter of these rolls due to wear. The intermediateportions of the shafts I4 are formed with spaced collars I8 upon whichouter cylindrical shells I9 are fixed, preferably by shrinking. Thecollars I8 are formed with a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings 20, the openings in each of the collars being angularlystaggered or offset relative to those of the adjacent collars so as tocause a temperature. controlling medium to traverse a tortuous path inpassing through the rolls from end to end, as will presently bedescribed. The tubular shafts I4 are provided with partitions 2lintermediate their ends and also with radial openings 22 adjacent to theends of the rolls 6 for establishing communication between the shaftsand the interior of the rolls (Fig. 3).

A temperature controlling medium which may be live steam, air or waterrefrigerated or otherwise, according to the nature and characteristicsof the material being shaped by the rolls, is directed through the upperrolls 6 from end to end, from flexible inlet pipes 23. the upper ends ofwhich are secured by means of clamping straps 24 to tubular angednipples 25 which are bolted to the outer surfaces of the slide bearingsI6 at the front of the apparatus and in axial alignment with the tubularshafts I4. The lower ends of the pipes 23 are secured by means ofclamping straps 26 to flanged nipples 21 mounted on inlet valves 28which control communication between the inlet pipes 23 and a supply mainor conduit (not shown) also located 75 at the front of the apparatus.

After passing through the upper rolls 6, the temperature controllingmedium escapes from these rolls through flexible outlet pipes 29 theupper ends of which are secured by means of clamping straps 30 toflanged nipples 3| which are bolted to the slide bearings I6 at the rearof the apparatus and in axial alignment with the tubular shafts I4. Thelower ends of the pipes 29 are secured by means of clamping straps 32 toflanged nipples 33 which communicate with a. common discharge main orconduit (not shown) also located at the rearof the apparatus.

The lower rolls 1 of the several pairs of rolls are of substantially thesame construction as the upper rolls just described in that they alsocomprise tubular shafts 34 the ends of which are journaled in bushings35, which may also be of the eccentric type, carried by horizontallymovable elongated slide bearings 36 mounted in ways 31 formed in theframe members 3. 'I'he intermediate portions of the shafts 34 are formedwith spaced collars 38 upon which outer cylindrical shells 39 are xed,preferably by shrinking. The collars 38 are provided with spacedopenings 40 similar to those described in connectionwith the upper rolls6.. The tubular shafts 34 are also provided with partitions 4I`intermediate their ends and also with radial openings 42 forestablishing communication between the shafts 34 and the interior of thelower rolls 1 at the ends thereof.

A temperature controlling medium is also directed through the lowerrolls 1 in opposite directions with respect to that of the flow of themedium through the associated upper rolls 6, from flexible inlet pipes43 the upper ends -of which are secured by means of clamping straps 44to tubular flanged nipples 45 bolted to the outer surfaces of the slidebearings 36 at the rear of the apparatus. 'Ihe lower ends of the inletpipes 43 are secured by means of clamping straps 46 to flanged nipples41 mounted on inlet `valves 48 which control communication between theinlet pipes 43 and a supply main or conduit (not, shown) located at therear of the apparatus.

After passing through the lower rolls 1 the temperature controllingmedium escapes from these rolls through flexible outlet pipes 49, the

upper ends of which are secured by clamping straps 50 to anged nipples5I which are bolted to the outer faces of the slide bearings 36 at thefront of the apparatus. The lower ends of the outlet pipes 49 aresecured by means of clamping straps 52 to flanged nipples 53 whichcommunicate with a common discharge main or conduit (not shown) alsolocated at the front of the apparatus. It will be observed that thecooling medium is thus directed through the upper and lower rolls 6 and1 in opposite directions, thus equalizing the dissipation of heat fromthe metal transversely of its pathof travel.

The lower rolls 1 are additionally supported by back-up rolls 54 ofsolid construction which are journaled in bearings 55 carried by thebase I.

The upper rolls 6 may be raised and lowered independently of one anotherin order to adjust the size of the spaces I 0 or to transform thesespaces into sheet forming passes of equal size or into passes decreasingprogressively in size outwardly according to the temperature, nature,rate of heat dissipation, or other characteristics of the particularmetal or material being rolled, by means of adjusting screws 56 havingheads 51 at their lower ends which are rotatably confined within keepers58 bolted to the upper surfaces of amarte the slide bearings I9. 'Iheupperportions of the adjusting screws 56 are threaded into worm nuts 59which are confined between the upper 94 by means of which both ends ofthe upper rolls 6 may be raised or lowered simultaneously between thepositions shown in full and broken lines in Fig. 6.

The lower cooling and shaping rolls 1 may be separated at the middle ofthe aparatus, that is to say the rolls 1 on opposite sides of ayvertical medial plane are moved in unison awayffrom one another, asindicated by broken lines inFig. 7, so as to provide a space between thetwo central rolls 1 through which the apparatusmay be emptied oflmaterial when operation' is discon` tinued.y This is accomplished bymeans of jack screws B5 havingN/heads 96 at their inner ends which arerotatably confined within keepers 61 bolted to the outer ends of theslide bearings 36. The outer portions of the jack screws 65 are threadedinto worm nuts 69 which are conned between the outer edges of the framemembers 3 .and bars 69 secured to` the frame members 3 by side plates10. The worm nuts 58 are rotated by means of worms 1l which are ilxed toshafts 12 extending between the frame members 3 and journaled in theside plates 19, and are provided at their forward ends with hand wheels13 by means of which the opposite ends of the lower rolls may be movedin unison from the front of the apparatus.

Mounted contiguous with the ends of the upper rolls 6 and with the lowerrolls 1 of each of the pairs of rolls, is an end member 14. When therolls occupy their operative positions these end members abut oneanother and prevent the escape of material from the chambers 8 and 9 andthe spaces i9 in a direction longitudinally of the rolls. These' endmembers may be constructed of any suitable refractory materlaL-such asiire brick or lava rock, or they may be of hollow cast metalconstruction, in which case a temperature controlling medium may also becirculated therethrough by providingsuitable pipes for such y purpose.The end members 14 are supported by hangers 15 which are pivotallyconnected thereto at their lower ends and which are provided with strapportions 16 at their upper ends for engagement with eccentrics 11 fixedto the shafts i4 of the upper rolls 9. By means of this construction theend members 14 are reciprocated vertically as the rolls 6 are rotated,thus exerting a shearing action against the ends of the rolls such aswill prevent material from adhering to the end members during itspassage through the chambers. The endmembers are prevented fromendwise'displacement by the eccentrics 11 and hangers 15.4 l

The lower rolls 1 of the severallpairs of rolls are rotated in thedirections indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6 in order to fabricate twosheets simultaneously when the rolls occupy their operative positions,and also to free-them from material when they occupy their inoperativeor separated positions, as shown by broken lines inv Fig. 6; by means ofa plurality of elongated worms 'g 19 which are fixed to a Jackshaft 'I9and which mesh with worm gears 99 keyed to the tubular shafts 34 of thelower rolls 1. The jack shaft 19 is journaled in bearings BI xed to thefront frame members 3 and carries a worm wheel 82 for intermeshingengagement with a worm 83 fixed to a transversely extending drive shaft84. The drive shaft 941s journaled in the front frame member 3 and in abearing 85 carried by the base I and is suitably driven by a variablespeed electric motor M (Fig. in a manner hereinafter to be described.

Theupper cooling and shaping rolls 6 of the several pairs of rolls arerotated in the directions 5 indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6, by meansof spur gears 96 which are fixed to the lower tubular shafts l34 at therear of the apparatus (Fig: '1) and which drive gears 91 fixed to theupper shafts I4 through the medium of intermeshing upper and lowerpinions 88 and 89 respectively. These pinions are iournaled on studshafts 90 and 9| carried by arms 92 which are mounted on thelower"shafts 34 for swingingmovement thereon. The stud shafts 90 uponwhich the upper pinions 99 are journaled, are pivotally connected toarms 93 which are mounted on the upper ,shafts I4 for swinging movementthereon. This construction insures that the pinions B9 will traversepaths concentric or planetary with respect to both the gears 96 and 91and thus maintain driving connections between the rolls 6 and 1 wheneither the former are adjusted vertically or the latter are adjustedhorizontally, as is shown by broken lines in Fig. 7. 4

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the molten metal introducedinto the receiving chamber 8 is moved laterally outwardly therefrom inopposite directions through the chambers 8 and spaces 9 until it reachesa plastic condition and is rolled into sheet form by the rolls 9 and 1.The particular point where thesheet forming operation occurs dependsupon the initial temperature of the metal, rate of heat dissipation andthe speed of the rolls. If the metal reaches a plastic' condition at anearly stage and is shaped into a sheet by certain of the intermediaterolls, the rolls` disposed outwardly from. such rolls merely function assupporting.l and as additional cooling and smoothing means: On the otherhand, if the metal does not become plastic until it reaches theoutermost rolls theseoutermost rolls perform the shaping function and.the rolls located inwardly therefrom act as cooling and feeding means.Obviously the particular number of pairs of rolls employed depends uponoperating conditions, and may be reduced in number or added to accordingto requirements.

For example, there is shown in Figures 8 and 9 anembodiment of theinvention in which only two pairs of rolls are employed. 'Ihisconstruction may be preferable in rolling plastic materials and 'metalshaving relatively low melting points. Inasmuch as this construction ispractically the same as that hereinbefore described and is the subjectof applicants co-pending application hereinabove referred to, a detaileddescription thereof isI believed to be unnecessary.

As in the rolling operations hereinbefore de- I scribed, the metalWithin the chamber 8 is rendered plastic in zones 8 of substantiallyequal -areaabove and below the passes I0. The rota- Also, it will beapparent that the surtzces o the corresponding rolls of the severalpairs of rolls move in opposite directions at the lines of contacttherebetween and consequently exert a scraping or scouring actionagainst one another such as will not only prevent the metal fromescaping therebetween but will free the metal from the rolls in theevent oi any tendency to adhere thereto during its passage through theapparatus. En this respect the assembly may be termed a continuousselfstripplng ingot mold. This contiguous relation of the upper andlower rolls also tends to exclude air from the outer atmosphere from theseveral chambers, thus preventing undue oxidation of the metal duringits conditioning stages.

Obviously if the cooling and shaping rolls i5 and 'i are rotated toorapidly with respect to the rate at which the metal dissipates its heat,the metal will not become suciently solidified to retain its sheet formafter passing between the outermost pairs of rolls. On the other hand,if the rolls are rotated too slowly the metal may reach such a degree ofsolidity as to subject the rolls to excessive strain if not actuallyfreezing while in contact therewith. Also, the temperature of the metalas well as that of the cooling medium owing through the rollsfmayuctuate to such an extent and so frequently as to render any constantroll speed impractical.

According to the present invention these difculties and uncertaintiesare avoided by the provision of thermo-responsive means for automat,-ically varying the speed of the motor M and that of the rolls t and 1 inaccordance with the temperature of the metal and any iluctuations there-With particular reference to Fig. 10 of the drawings, the armaturewinding of the motor M is shown as being energized by direct currentwhich traverses a circuit from a suitable source, such as positive buswire 94, through wire 95,

armature winding of motor M, and wire 96, to-

negative bus wire |04. The ileld winding of motor M is also energized bycurrent which traverses a circuit from positive bus wire 9d, throughwires 95, and 95', eld winding f of motor M, wire 96, manually operableswitch 91, wire 98, manually adjustable rheostat 99, wire/ |00, backcontacts |0| and connecting wires |02 of a series of relays, indicatedby the letter w with exponents according to their order f energizing,and wire |03 to negative bus wire |04. Under these conditions the motorM will drive the cooling and shaping rolls 6 and1 at a maximum speeddetermined by the manual adjustment of the rheostat 99 and the rollswill fabricate` sheets, as previouslyy described, if the metaldissipates its heat the proper rate at Vsuch roll speed.

The speed of the motor M and the rolls 6 and 1 driven thereby isautomatically controlled by a thermocouple T which is positionedadjacent to the molten metal within the feeding device |2 or Withincertain of the chambers 8 and 9 or both,

so that the temperature of the metal will gen'-A erate an electriccurrent, in the well known manner, in a circuit including wires |05, and|06, connecting the terminals of the thermocouple T with those of agalvanometer G. The hot end of the thermocouple T is suitably connectedwith the outer end of a metal bar |01 the inner end of which is exposedto the hot metal and which is provided with a suitable heat insulatingcovering |08 so as to insure a uniform drop in temperature from end toend. The temperature of aioavee the inner end of the bar |01 is that ofthe metal with which it is in contact but the drop in teniperaturelongitudinally of the bar is such as to prevent the thermocouple frombeing damaged by being subjected to excessive heat. However, sumcientheat is transmitted to the thermocouple T by conduction to insure thatthe same will operate properly in accordance with iiuctuations in thetemperature of the metal within the feeding device or chamber.

rIhe galvanometer G operates a disk or shutter 09 provided with anaperture i0 through which light rays emanating from a source of light,such as an electric lamp L, may progressively be admitted into a seriesof chambers c. Located within each of the chambers c is a selenium cellor resistor s and also a lens Z for focusing lthe light rays admittedthrough the aperture |||i upon the light sensitive element of the cellssu.

When the temperature of the metal in the vicinity of the thermocouple Treaches a predetermined degree, the galvanometer G will swing theshutter |09 to a position in which its aperture ||0 registers with theiirst chamber c1 of the series so that light from the lamp L will befocused upon the selenium cell s1 thus ren- 'dering the light sensitiveelement thereof sufficiently conductive to effect the energizing ofrelay w1 by current traversing a circuit from positive bus wire 94,through a manually adjustable resistance element ill, wires H2, and H3,light sensitive element of. the selenium cell s1, wire H4, winding ofrelay w1, and wires ||5 and H6 to the negative bus wire |04. Theenergizing of the relay w1 by current owing in the circuit just tracedcauses it to open its back contact |0| and to close a front contact ||1thereof. This opens the circuit previously traced for the motor M butestablishes an auxiliary circuit therefor through the first section 'r1of a resistance R, front contact ||1 of relay w1 and wires ||8 and ||9tothe negative bus Wire |04. The introduction of this additionalresistance r1 into the motor circuitv causes the speed of the motor andthat of the rolls 6 and 1 to decrease a predetermined amount so as toallow a greater period of time for the metal to dissipate its heat andreach the desired degree of. plasticity before passing between the rollsperforming the shaping function.

Ifthe speed of the rolls is still too high to permit the metal to becomesuiciently plastic to retain its sheet form after passing between theshaping rolls, the galvanometer G will swing the shutter |09 until theaperture ||,0 therein registers with the next adjacent chamber c2 of theseries so that light from the lamp L will render the next succeedingselenium cell s2 electrically conductive and cause the energizing of therelay wz.- The energizing of the relay w2- introduces th next section r.of the resistance R into lthe motor circuit so as to cause the motor Mto rotate at a still further reduced speed. It will l be understood thatwhen the front contact ||1 of. one of the succeeding relays w is closed,as above described, the front contact ||1 of the preceding relay w isopened so that the current in the motor circuit will be compelled totraverse all of the sections r of the resistance R which are introducedinto this circuit by the closing of the front contact ||1 of. the relaylast energized. The above described operations are repeated successivelyuntil the desired amount of resistance is included in the circuit of themotor M.

It will be understood that the chambers c are impervious to light exceptwhen the aperture il@ in the shutter |09 is moved into registrytherewith. Also, it will be understood that suitable amplifying meansmay be provided in the circuits of the several selenium cells if sodesired.

For the purpose of illustration, the current is schematically shown aspassing directly through the contacts i0! and lll of. the relays w, butit will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the contacts ofthese relays may be employed to energize auxiliary circuits includingcircuit makers and breakers of a type particularly adopted to carry the.current employed,

especially where normally high current values are to be dealt with.

rPhe hereinabove described control system is given by way of exampleonly, it not being intended to limit the instant improvements to anyparticular circuit or circuits.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that an apparatus is provided inwhich the metal la not only rolled to sheet form but in which the metalis also conditioned prior to the rolling operation. By regulatingproperly the rate of ilow of the cooling medium through the severalrolls, or by regulating the speed of the rolls, or both, the rate ofdissipation of heat from the metal may be adjusted in accordance with atemperature gradient determined by the initial temperature of the metalor the characteristics of the particular metal being rolled. Thisgradient may be uniform in character or it may be shaped according torequirements.

The sheets of metal issue from the apparatus in a relatively hotcondition and may immediately be fed to other instrumentalities forfurther shaping or conditioning operations. For example, the sheets maybe fed directly to drop hammers to be forged thereby into articles ofappropriate shape while the metal is still hot from its original heat.Also the sheets may be fed to other rolls for further reduction inthickness, or they may immediately be introduced into annealing ovens orsubjected to tempering, carburizing, or other heat treating prcesses oroperations.

The apparatus hereinabove described may be employed to roll a singlesheet by disconnecting or entirely dispensing with the outer roll orrolls at one side of the apparatus and by altering the gearing so thatthe innermost lower roll 'l on the side where such disconnection iseiected, will rotate in a direction opposite to that shown. In suchevent the upper roll 6 associated with said innermost lower roll 1should be adjusted downwardly so as to close the space I0 between theserolls. When these slight changes are made a single sheet will befabricated by the rolls on the opposite side of the apparatus. Anapparatus of this type which is specifically designed to fabricate asingle sheet only is disclosed in applicants copending application,Serial No. 734,349, filed July 10, 1934.

Il. desired the entire series of rolls on both sides of the apparatusmay be enclosed within a casing or housing through which an inert ornonoxidizing atmosphere may either be circulated having loose or lostmotion connections therebetween.

When thus mounted the jack screws 65 will separate the rolls 'iprogressively inwardly so as to provide discharge openings between eachof the lower rolls. In such an arrangement the ways 3l may be inclinedslightly downwardly toward the lcenter of the apparatus so that therolls l Will frictionally engage one another under the influence ofgravity. i

Other modifications and changes in proportion and arrangement of theseveral necessary elements constituting the invention may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the nature and scope ofthe `invention as deiined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. The method of rolling sheets or 'bars from material -delivered in amolten condition which acteristics of the material. y

2. 'I'he method of rolling sheets or bars from `material delivered inamolten condition which comprises the steps of passing `the moltenmaterial in two streams from a single source of supply in oppositedirections through series of chambers defined by a plurality of p irs ofrolls arranged'in side by side relation; `rendering the materialrelatively plastic by progressively reducing the temperature of thematerial during its passage through said chambers in accordanceV with apredetermined temperature gradient; simultaneously rolling the plasticmaterial oi each of said streams into sheet or bar form while it isstill hot from its original heat; and anto= matically controlling thespeed of rotation voi' said rolls by and in accordance with thetemperature and characteristics of the material.

3. The method of rolling sheets or bars from oxidizable metal such asiron or steel delivered in a molten condition which comprises the stepsof passing the molten metal through a series of chambers dened by aplurality of pairs of rolls arranged in side-by-side contiguousrelation, said chambers being substantially closed to the outeratmosphere, by rotating said rolls; rendering the rality of pairs oi'rolls arranged in side--by-slde` contiguous relation, said chambersbeing substantially closed to the outer' atmosphere, by rotating saidrolls; rendering the metal relatively plastic by progressively reducingthe temperature of the metal during its passage through said chambers inaccordance with a predeterminedtemperature gradient to render the samerelatively plastic;

and finally simultaneously rolling f the plastic metal of each oi? saidstreams into sheet or bar form while it isstill hot from its originalheat. I

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of shapingrolls; a series of chambers communicating with one another and with lsaid rolls for receiving a supply oi molten metal,

means for moving a wall of each of said chambers to move the metal insaid chambers toward said rolls; and means for reducing the temperatureof the metal moving through said chambers to render the metal relativelyplastic prior to its contact with said rolls.

6. Apparatus oi the character described comprising a pair oi shapingrolls; a series oi charnbers communicating with one another and withsaid rolls for receiving a supply oi molten metal; means for moving awall of each oi said chambers to move the metal in said chambers towardsaid rolls, means for. reducing the temperature of the metal movingthrough said chambers to render the metal relatively plastic prior toits Contact with said rolls; and means responsive to the temperature ofsaid metal for controlling the rate of movement of said walls and theresulting movement of said metal.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs oflaterally spaced shaping rolls;

a series of chambers located between said pairs of rolls andcommunicatingv with one another and with said rolls for receiving asupply of molten metal from a single source and directing the same inopposite directions towards said rolls; means for moving a wall of eachof said.

chambers to move the metal in said chambers toward said rolls; means forreducing the temperature of the metal in said chambers to render themetal relatively plastic prior to its contact with said rolls; and meansresponsive to the temperature of the metal for automatically controllingthe rate of movement of said metal toward said rolls.

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of pairsof relatively closely spaced rolls arranged in side-by-side relation andtogether defining a series of chambers communicating with one anotherthrough the relatively narrow spaces between the rolls of the severalpairs of rolls, said-rolls being operable when rotated to move moltenmetal introduced into one of said chambers through successive chambers,to reduce progressively the temperature of the metal and render the samerelatively plastic, and finally to impart to the plastic metal apredetermined configuration.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of pairsof relatively closely spaced rolls arranged in side-by-side relation andtogether defining a series of chambers communicating with one anotherthrough the relatively narrow spaces between the rolls of the severalpairs of rolls, said rolls being operable when rotated to move moltenmetal introducedinto one of said chambers through successive chambers,to'reduce progressively the temperature of the metal and render the samerelatively plastic, and

- finally to impart to the plastic metal a predetermined configuration;and means for independently varying the size of the spaces between therolls of the several pairs of rolls in accordance with, the degree ofplasticity of the metal.

c Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of pairsof relatively closely spaced rolls arranged in side-by-side contiguousrelation and together denlng a Series of champrising a plurality ofpairs of relatively closely spaced rolls'arranged in side-by-siderelation and together dening a series of chambers communieating with oneanother through sheet forming passes vdefined by the rolls of theseveral pairs of rolls, said rolls being operable when rotated to movemolten metal introduced into said chamber through successive chambers,to reduce progressively the temperature of the metal and render the samerelatively plastic and finally to roll the plastic metal into sheet orbar form.

i2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of pairsof relatively closely spaced rolls arranged in side-by-side relation andtogether dening a plurality of chambers communicating with one anotherthrough the relatively narrow spaces between the rolls of the severalpairs of rolls, said rolls being operable when rotated to movemoltenmetal introduced into an intermediate chamber in' oppositedirections through successive chambers, to reduce progressively thetemperature of the metal and render the same relatively plastic, andfinally to impart to the plastic metal predetermined configurations atopposite sides of the apparatus.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality of pairsof relatively closely spaced rolls arranged in slde-by-side relation andtogether deiining a. plurality of chambers vcommunicating with oneanother through the relatively narrow spaces between the rolls oftheseveral pairs of rolls, said rolls being operable when rotated to movemolten metal introduced into an intermediate chamber in oppositedirections through successive chambers, to reduce progressively thetemperature of the metal andrender the same relatively plastic, andfinally to impart to the plastic metal predetermined configurations atopposite sides of the apparatus; and means for independently varying thesize of the spaces between the` rolls of the several pairs of rolls inaccordance 'with the plasticity of the metal.

14.. Apparatus of the character described comprising a. plurality ofpairs of relatively closely spaced rolls arranged in side-by-sldecontiguous relation and together defining a. pluralityl of chamberssubstantially closed with respect to the outer atmosphere andcommunicating with one another through the relatively narrow spacesbetween the rolls of the several pairs of rolls, said rolls beingoperable when rotated to move molten metal introduced into anintermediate chamber in' opposite directions through successivechambers, to reduce progressively the temperature of the metal andrender the same relatively plastic, and iinally to impart to the plasticmetal predetermined configurations at opposite sides of relativelyplastic, and nally to roll the plastic i metal into sheet or bar form atopposite sides oithe apparatus.

16. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of shapingrolls; metal condityming means communicating with -said rolls forreceiving a supply of molten metal and directing the same towar therolls, said conditioning means including'a plurality of chamberscommunicating with one another through restricted passages; means forreducing the temperature of the metal passing along said conditioningmeans, controllable as to its temperature reducing eiects and applicableat intervals along said conditioning means to render the metalrelatively plastic prior to its contact with the said rolls, and meansresponsive to the temperature of the metal for automatically controllingthe rate of movement of said metal toward said rolls.

17. Apparatusof the character described comprising two pairs oflaterally spaced shaping rolls; a series of chambers located betweensaid pairs of rolls and communicating withone another and with saidrolls for receiving a supply or molten metal from a single source anddirecting the -same in opposite directions. towards said rolls; meansfor moving al wall of each of said chambers to move the metal in saidchambers towards said rolls to be simultaneously shaped thereby into twosheets; and means for reducing the temperay ture or the metal in saidchambers to render the same "relatively plastic prior to its contactwith said rolls.

4o 18. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs of'superposed rolls arranged in side-by-side relation and cooperating todenne a substantially closed chamber for receiving the supply oi moltenmetal, a restricted throat through which metal is adapted to beintroduced into said chamber and a sheet forming pass communicating withsaid chamber; means for cooling said rollsto extract heat from the metalin said chamber and render the same relatively plastic; means for'rotating said rolls to move the plastic metal from said chamberoutwardly through said pass to form a sheet; and a receptacle removablyseated' upon the upper rolls oi' said pairs oi rolls and communicatingwithvsaid 55. throat for supplying molten metal to said, chamber,said'receptacle having arcuate surfaces corresponding in curvature tothat o' said rolls to sexcess heat therefrom prior to its introductioninto said chamber.

" fprovide'intimate contact therewith, thus to exclude air from theouter atmosphere from said throat and said chamber.`

1.9. Apparatus of the character described conprising two pairs ofsuperposed rolls arranged in' side-by-side relation and cooperating todefine a substantially closed chamber for receiving the supply of moltenmetal, a restricted throat through which metal is adapted to beintroduced into said chamber and a sheet forming pass conrmunicatingwith said chamber; means for cooling said rolls to extract heat from thevmean m said chamber and render the same relatively plastic; means forrotating said rolls to move the plasticmetal from said chamber outwardlythrough said pass to form a sheet;` a receptacle removably seated uponthe upper rollskof said pairs of rolls and communicating with saidthroat asubstantially closed chamber for receiving the 20. Apparatus ofthe character described com- 10 prislng twol pairs of surposed rollsarranged in side-by-side relation and cooperating to defineasubstantially closed chamber for receiving the supply oi molten metal,a restricted throat through which metal is adapted to be introduced 15into said chamber and a sheet forming pass communicating with saidchamber; means for cooling said vrolls to extract heat from the metal insaid chamber and render the same relatively plastic; means for rotating.said rolls to move 20 the plastic metal Vfrom said chamber outwardlythrough said pass to form a sheet; a receptacle removably seated uponthe upper rolls of said pairs of rolls and communicating with saidthroat for supplying molten metal to said chamber, said 25 receptaclehaving arcuate surfaces correspondingy in'curvature to that of said rollto provide intimate contact therewith, thus to exclude air from theouter atmosphere from said throat and chamber; and means for separatingthe lower rolls' oi 30 said pairs of rolls to discharge metal from saidchamber.

21. Apparatus ci the character described comprising two pairs oisuperposed rolls arranged in side-by-side relation and cooperatingv todene 35 a. substantially closed. chamber for receiving the supply ofmolten metal, a restricted throat through which metal is adapted to beintroduced into said chamber and a sheet forming pass communicating withsaid chamber; means for cool- 4e ing said rolls to extract heat from themetal in said chamber and render the same relatively plastic; means forrotating said rollsr to move the plastic metal from said chamberoutwardly through said pass to form a sheet; a receptacle 45.

removably seated upon the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls andcommunicating with said throat for supplying molten metal to saidchamber, said .receptacle having arcuate surfaces corresponding incurvature to that ci said roll to provide intl- 5g mate contacttherewith. thus to exclude air from the outer atmosphere from saidthroat antichamber; means for separating the lower rolls of said i pairsof rolls to discharge metal from said chamber; and means for rotatingsaid lower rolls when 55 separated' to free metal therefrom.

22. Apparatus of the character described comprising two pairs ofsuperposed rolls arranged in side-by-side relation and cooperating todenne supply oi' molten metal, a restricted throat through which metalis adapted to be introduced into said chamber and Va sheet forming passcommunicating with said chamber; means for cooling said rolls to extractheat i'rom the metai in A615 said chamber and render the same relativelyplastic; means for rotating said rolls to move the plastic metal fromsaid chamber outwardly through said pass to form a sheet; a receptacle'removably seated upon the upper rolls of said 704 pairs oi rolls andcommunicating with said throat iorsupplying molten metal to saidchamber, said receptacle having arcuate surfaces corresponding incurvature to that of said roll to provide 4 intimate contact therewith,thus to exclude air 75 encarta from the outer atmosphere from saidthroat and chamber; means for separating the lower rolls of said pairsof rolls tor discharge metal from said chamber; means for separating therolls of said pairs of rolls to facilitate access to said rolls andchambers; and means for rotating the upper and lower rolls of said pairsof rolls when thus separated to free metal therefrom.

23. Apparatus of the character described com' prising two pairs ofsuperposed rolls arranged in side-by-side relation and cooperating todeiine a substantially closed chamber for receiving the supply of moltenmetal, a restricted throat through which metal is adapted to beintroduced into said chamber and a sheet forming pass communicating withsaid chamber; means for cooling said rolls to extract heat from themetal in said chamber and render the same relatively plastic; means forrotating said rolls to move the plastic metal from said chamberoutwardly through said. pass to form a sheet; a receptacle removablyseated upon the upper rolls of said pairs of rolls and communicatingwith said throat for supplying molten metal to said chamber, saidreceptacle having arcuate surfaces corresponding in curvature to that ofsaid roll to provide intimate Contact therewith, thus to exclude airfrom the outer atmosphere from said throat and chamber; and meansresponsive to the temperature of the metal for controlling the speed cirotation oi said rolls.

24. The method of rolling sheets or bars from material delivered in amolten condition which comprises the following steps: delivering themolten material to an initial receiving chamber; causing the material tomove from the said initial receiving chamber through a series ofchambers successively connected by restricted passesg wherein heat isabstracted from Vthe material rendering it relatively plastic byprogressively reducing the temperature thereof during its pas-n sagethrough said chambers, in accordance with a predetermined temperaturegradient; subjecting the material to progressive forward feeding actionbetween successive chambers, and nally rolling the plastic material intosheet or bar form While it is stili hot from its original heat.

25. The herein described method of rolling sheets or bars fromoxidizable metal such as iron or steel, delivered in a molten condition,which..

comprises the following steps: delivering the molten metal into aninitial receiving chamber; passing it therefrom through a series orchambers connected successively with each other by passes of reduceddimensions, the said chambers being substantially closed against theadmission oi atmospheric air, rendering the metal relatively plastic byprogressively reducing the temperature thereof during its passagethrough the said chambers in accordance with a predetermined temperaturegradient, and. inally rolling the plastic metal into sheet or bar iormwhile it is still hot from its original heat.

MARSHALL LOW.

